On Drumming

The Psychology and Philosophy of Improvisation

By: JP Bouvet

Narrated by: JP Bouvet

Can creativity be learned? Can you teach someone improvisation? Or is it an innate gift for “creative people?” In this one-of-a-kind book, renowned drummer and teacher, JP Bouvet, takes you on a tour through psychology, educational theory, and, of course, specific approaches to learning the drums, to reveal how improvisation is much easier to learn than most people think. You’ll learn how to leverage the natural tendencies of your mind to systematically learn what most drummers think can’t be learned…effortless improvisational freedom. This book is for every drummer who wishes they were more creative on their instrument. JP Bouvet is a drummer and teacher, and runs the educational website, JPBouvetMethod.com, where he specializes in creating courses that teach improvisation with step-by-step methods. He studied music at Berklee College of Music and psychology at Columbia University. In 2011, he won the two largest drum contests in the world in the same year, and went on to tour the world with artists like Steve Vai, Periphery, and others. He has since taught drums in 34 countries, and thousands of students continue to find creative freedom from his online courses.

©2024 Jean-Pierre Bouvet (P)2025 Jean-Pierre Bouvet

Good insight into the philosophy of drumming and the art of improvisation

I felt connected to JP‘s philosophy, especially the part about drums being a sanctuary and as if that sanctuary is a separate entity that you can agree with on what you want to do on that day you play drums. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone explain and improvisation the way he has. I’ll have to listen to this again and break it down bit by bit, but I felt that just by listening to him and has inspired me to play with a new outlook.

The author.

Everyone playing drums should listen to this book. It is presenring the quintessetial knowledge of rhytmic improvisation.